Parking meter



May 23, 1944. c, MacCORDY 2,349,359

' PARKING METER Filed Feb. 27, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 1 E g 2- willy/ 34 InvE m: on

LHARL E5 A Mac C'DRDY ATT URHEY I May 23, 1944. c. A. M CORDY PARKING METER .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1941 InvEHTuR. UHAHL 55 .A. MwCaRBY BY 2 i ATTURHEY y 1944. c. A. M coRDY 2,349,359

PARKING METER Filed Feb. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lZ/////A///////v///////////// IHVE NT [JR Emmi/E5 A Mm 51mm ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE rmmo mama Charles A. MaoCordy, Fulton, N. Y. Application February 21, 1941,8erlal No. 380,939

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in coin controlled parking meters in which a signal is movable from a hidden or non-signaling posi-- tion to an exposed or signaling position.

The primary objects of this invention are to produce a mechanism for timing the parking of vehicles and for collecting a revenue for such parking which is simple, economical anddurable in construction and that is practically universal in its adaptations.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of a coin controlled parking meter which may be selectively set, by minor changes in or slight adjustment of parts thereof, so that an occupant of a parking space may have the choice of either one or two parking periods. One of the latter periods may or may not be free.

For instance, my parking meter may be set or adjusted so that: First, a parking period of one length may be had by depositing in the meter a coin of a specified denomination; second, either of two parking periods of different values may be had as the occupant of a parking space may elect; a free limited parking period without depositing a coin in the meter, or a tion within the meter case to an exposed sig-- naling position in a glass dome provided at the upper end of the case. 'I'hesecond signal is fixedly mounted in the dome so as to be plainly visible when the first signal is in the concealed position. The signals are so constructed and mounted that when the movable signal is in the signaling position, the fixed signal is partially or wholly contained within the movable signal and correspondingly concealed thereby.

In many instances or localities where traflic often becomes congested, it is, of course, desirable that unnecessary trafllc be maintained at a minimum. Furthermore, it is well known that in instances where the parking meters record the unexpired parking time, persons look ing for a vacant parking space often drive about seeking a'vacant space having considerable unused time remaining so that such space may be used without depositing a coin. This increases trafiic and in order to efl'ect a reduction in trafiic in such instances, it is desirable that prospective users of a parking space be unable to determine the amount remaining, if any, of

parking time paid for by a previous user of a vacant parking space.

Another feature of my parking meter resides in the provision of a signal operating means 5' so constructed and operated that the unexpired time of a specific parking period may not be determined by an observer.

A further object is to produce a parking meter of the above mentioned class which may be readily caused to indicate the duration of the unexpired parking time so that in instances or localities where this is desired, it may be readily determined.

Another object of this invention is to provide a parking meter with simple, efficient means by which the duration of a parking period obtained by the insertion of a coin of a predetermined denomination may be readily varied as desired. A still further object of the invention is to provide a parking meter with a signal so constructed and operated, that when the signal is in the signaling position, the same may be quickly and easily observed from all sides of the parking meter.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a parking meter whereby a limited free parking period may be obtained and to provide the meter with signal means for indicating when the meter and parking space are being so used.

Anotherspeciflc object is to provide an improved coin receptacle and particularly one which is compact, eflicient and easily accessible.

These and other objects and advantages pertaining to the specific construction of the Parking meter will more readily appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a parking meter embodying the various features of this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3, Figure'2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary rear view of the apparatus shown in Figures 4 and 5 as viewed from line 6-6, Figure 5, illustrating a coin holding and release mechanism.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary face view illustrating the position of the various parts of the mech.

Figure 11 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail vertical. sectional view through the parking meter case taken substantially on line |2--|2, Figure l.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are detail face views illus-- trating a modified form of holding means for the movable signal whereby the signal may be maintained in a partial signaling position as well as in a full signaling position.

As shown more particularly in Figures 1 to--l inclusive of the drawings, my parking meter comprises a case l having two openings in one side thereof arranged one above the other, which are closed by doors or cover plates i1 and i5 respectively. The cover plate I1 is secured to the case |5 by a pair of lock members 25 which have screw threaded engagement with suitable lugs 2 I formed integral with the case l5 in the manner illustrated in Figure 11. The cover plate I5 is secured to the case I5 by a lock member 25' similar to the lock members 20 and which has screw threaded engagement with a spindle 23 extending through the case l5, said spindle being secured to the rear wall 24 of the case as illustrated in Figure 12. These lock members 25 and 25 may be of any suitable construction and as illustrated in the drawings are provided with tumbler plates 25 normally projecting beyond the periphery of the barrel 25 of the lock into corresponding grooves 25, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12,

for maintaining the lock against rotation. These tumbler plates are moved inwardly out of cooperative relation with the grooves 25' by a suitable key, not shown, inserted into the barrel of the lock from the outer end thereof so as to permit the lock to be turned into or out of screw thread-" ed engagement with the case |5 or member, as a lug 2| and the spindle 23, carried thereby.

The case l5 has the lower end thereof provided with a socket 25 adapted to receive the upper end of a suitable post 25 for maintaining the case in an upright position as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.

The upper end 30 of the case I5 is provided with a dome 3| comprising a plurality of, in this instance 3, upwardly projecting ribs or posts 35 arranged in substantially uniform circumferential spaced relation to each other about an aperture 32 provided in the upper end 30 of the case. The upper ends of the ribs 35' are tied together by an annular ring 33 which has the outer peripheral surfaces thereof provided with screw threads engaged by a cap 34. Mounted between the ribs 35' is a cylindrical glass window 35 which extends downwardly from the cap 34 to the upper end 35 of the case l5. The window 35 is secured in position by the cap 34, the lower endof said window being positioned in a suitable annular groove 35 formed in the end 30 intermediate the aperture 32 and ribs 35' as shown in Figure 2.

The cap 34, as shown in Figure 2, is preferably end of the member 35 preferably terminates at or slightly below the upper face of the aperture 32. The outer circumferential surface of member 35 is provided with a suitable color, such as red, so asto be readily seen through the window 35 from any angle about the meter case i5.

The meter case is provided with a second sig- "nal 35 which, as shown in Figure 2, is a tubular cup-shaped member normally positioned beneath the signal 35 and which is adapted to receive readily the signal 35 therein when moved upprovided with a pendant cylindrical boss 35 to i provide a signal arranged in axial alignment with the aperture 32 and which is of considerably less diameter than that of said aperture. The lower wardly into the dome 3 I. The signal 33 may have the outer peripheral surface thereof coated with paint or suitable material to provide a color, such as green, which contrasts with that of the exterior surface of the signal 35. The signal 35 is maintained in substantially coaxial relation with the signal 35 by means of a stem 45 secured to its bottom 4| and which extends upwardly through the signal and is slidably received in a suitable bore 42 provided in the signal 35.

The movable signal 35 is supported against downward vertical movement by a rock lever 44 having one-end engaging the bottom 4| of the signal, and its other end pivotally connected by a shouldered screw 45, or its equivalent, to the upper end of a vertically disposed supporting frame 45 mounted in the case |5 intermediate the front and rear walls thereof, said frame being secured to said case by screws 41 englging inwardly projecting lugs 45 formed integral with the case l5 at opposite sides thereof.

The frame 45, in this instance, is composed of a plurality of plates; a front plate 50, a rear plate 5| and plate sections 52 and 53 arranged in spaced relation to each other intermediate the plates 55 and 5|. These plates are secured together by the screws 41 and also by additional screws 54, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The pivotal movement of the rock lever 44 is controlled by a vertically disposed arm 55 which has the upper end thereof secured to the lever 44 intermediate the ends thereof by a pin 51 and slot 51'. The lower end of the arm 55 is pivotally connected at 55 to a rock arm 55 secured to a stub shaft 55 by a nut 5|, as shown in Figure 3.

The shaft 55 is journaled in the frame plates 55 and 5|, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, some distance below the signal 33. The inner end of the shaft 50 may as shown be provided with an enlarged circular head 54. The portion of the shaft intermediate the head and nut 5| is provided with a flattened portion 55 which receives the arm 55 and causes the arm to rotate in unison with the shaft. A spacing sleeve 55 is shown in Figures 3 and 5 as being on the shaft at the rear of the arm 55 and which extends through the forward plate 55 of the frame. The shaft 55 is manually rotated by means of a lever 55 positioned exteriorly of the cover plate l1 and which is secured to the outer end of a stub shaft 55 journaled in said plate as shown in Figure 3. The inner end of shaft 59 is provided with an axial recess 10 which receives the forward end of the shaft 50 therein. The shaft 55 is operatively connected with the shaft 55 by means of a pin 12 extending diametrically through said shaft and through a diametrically disposed slot 13 provided at the inner end of the shaft 59. A collar 15 carrying a pin 15 is secured to the shaft 55 in inwardly spaced relation to the plate l1 while a pair of stop members or pins 11 and 11' are secured to the plate IT at opposite sides of the shaft 55 in position to be engaged by the pin is 15 for limiting the -rotary movement of the shaft 89. The pin 16 and the pins 11 and 11' are so related that the shaft 69 may be rotated substantially one hundred eighty degrees. A spring 18 mounted upon the shaft 69 normally urges the shaft 69 in an anti-clockwise direction and maintains pin 16 in engagement with the pin 11. The relation of the pin 16 and the arm 59 on shaft 60 is such that when said pin is in engagement with pin 11, the arm 59 will extend downwardly from the shaft 60. The throw of the arm 59 is such that when said arm is moved one hundred eighty degrees from its lowermost position to its uppermost position, the signal 39 will be moved to its uppermost position within the dome 3|.

The signal 39 and lever 44 are releasably maintained in their uppermost positions by the en-- gagement of a latch pin 80 secured to the arm 44 with a keeper or detent 8|. This keeper or detent 8| is an L-shaped member pivotally connected adjacent the apex thereof by a screw, or the like, 83 to the supporting frame 46. One of the arms, as-84, of the keeper extends upwardly from the pivot 83 and has a stop shoulder or keeper element 84 adapted to be moved into engagement with pin 80 for maintaining the arm 44 against downward movement. The arm 84 is urged toward the latch pin 80 by the horizontally disposed arm 85 of the keeper 8|. The keeper 8| is also provided with an extension 86 arranged at the opposite side of the pivot 83 to that of the arm- 85, in the path of movement of 5. pin or lug 81 on the upper end of a vertically disposed arm 88. The upper end portion of the arm 88 is guided by a pin and slot connection 89, during the reciprocative movement of the arm. The lower end of the arm 88 is pivotally connected at 90 to one end of a control lever 9| which is secured to the drive shaft 92 of a drive mechanism 93 mounted at the rear of the supporting frame 46. The shaft 92, as shown moreparticularly in Figures 2 and 8, is positioned a short distance below and at one side of the shaft 60. The lever 9| extends from the shaft 92 across the front of frame 46 beneath the shaft 60 and has the outer end 9| thereof adapted to engage the stop pin 95 secured to the plate 50 for limiting the upward movement of the lever, which, in this instance, is normally urged in an anti-clockwise direction by the operation of the drive mechanism 93.

The drive mechanism 93 in this instance is of a clock-work construction and comprises a spring motor 93 operatively connected to the shaft 92 and with a frame 91 which in turn is secured to the supporting frame 46, as by screws 98. The shaft 92 is journaled in the frame 91 and has secured thereto a drive gear 99 which in turn is operatively connected with a train of gears I by means .of pawls IOI secured to a gear I02 journaled on shaft 92. The pawls IOI are arranged to drive the gear I02 in one direction so that the shaft 92 is free to turn in the opposite direction independently of the train of gears. The gear I02 is comprised in the train of gears I00 which are operatively connected with a suitable escapement mechanism, not shown, for controlling the speed of operation of the shaft 92 in a manner well known to those skilled in clockwork construction. Inasmuch as the particular manner in which the shaft 92 is driven does not constitute a novel feature of this invention, it is believed that further disclosure or description of the drive mechanism is not necessary. While I have indicated the drive mechanism 93 75 adjacent edges II 9 and as being of clock-work construction, I do not wish to be limited to such a mechanism as it is obvious that other means such as a weight or an electrically operated drive mechanism may be utilized in place of the clock-work for actuating the drive shaft 92.

The movement of the control lever 9| from the inoperative to the operative position thereof is manually produced through the medium of the handle 68 and the shafts 69 and 60 in the following manner: On the shaft 60 is mounted a control disk I which, as shown more particularly in Figures 4 and 5, is positioned between the plate sections 52-and 53 intermediate the front and rear plate members 50 and 5| of the supporting frame 46. This disk I05 is mounted on the flattened portion 65 of the shaft60 so as to rotate in unison with said shaft. The plate members 52 and 53 have the opposed edge surfaces I06. and I 01 thereof adjacent the disk I05 curved in opposite directions to provide a chamber I08 for the disk. The curved'surface |01 of the plate 53 is spaced some distance from the adjacent side of the disk I05 to provide a coin passage I09. The adjacent edges H0 and III of the plates 52 and 53 positioned above the chamber I08 extend upwardly and laterally in spaced relation to each other to provide a downwardly inclined coin chute II2 communicating with chamber I08 and which has the upper end thereof terminating in registration with a coin slot I I3 provided in the case I5 as shown in Figure 4. A closer flap I I5 may as shown in Figures 2 and 4 be hingedly connected as at |I6 to the case I5 at the inner side thereof for closing the coin slot II3. A spring II1 may be utilized for urging the flap I I5 to the closed position. The I of the plates 52 and 53 positioned beneath the chamber I08 are arranged in vertical spaced relation to each other to provide a coin chute I2I which extends downwardly through an aperture I22 in a partition I23 formed in the case I5 and which registers with a suitable coin aperture I24 provided in a coin box I25 mounted in the case I5 beneath the partition I23, the structure of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

As shown more particularly in Figure 4, the shaft 92 extends through the chamber I08 adjacent the edge I06 of the plate 52. The drive disk I05 is formed with two concentric portions I 21 and I28 of different diameters which provide shoulders I 29 and I 30 at the junction of the ends thereof adapted to engage the shaft 92 and limit the rotary movement'of the disk. The shoulder I29 is so positioned that when in engagement with the shaft 92, the arm 59 is maintained in its lowermost position as illustrated in Figures 2 and 8, and thereby'maintain the pin 12 connected to the shaft 60 in alignment with the recess 13 provided in the shaft 69 when the stop pins 16 and 11 are maintained in engagement with each otherby the spring 18. The upper enlarged portion I28 is provided with a coin receiving aperture I3I- which, when the shoulder I29 is in contact with the shaft 92, is in alignment with the lower inner end of the coin chute II2 for receiving a coin therefrom. This aperture I3I comprises two coin sockets I32 and I33 of diflerent diameters for receiving coins of correspondingly different denominations. The lowermost socket I32 is of smaller diameter than the uppermost socket I33 and, as shown, is of substantially the same diameter as a one cent piece, while the larger socket I33 is of substantially the same diameter as that of a five cent piece. The sockets I52 and III are so positioned with respect to the shaft 55 that when the disk I is rotated, a coin contained in socket I52 is moved through the inner side of the passage I05 in spaced relation to the outer edge I01 thereof, and a coin carried in socket I35 is moved through the outer portion of the passage III in close proximity with the side I51 of said e.

The disk I05 is normally maintained against rotation by a lock detent I05 removably mounted on the rear side of the frame 45 by a pin I55 as shown in Figure 5. This detent has an end I55 which extends through an aperture I45 provided in the rear plate 5i and into the coin receiving aperture I3I into the path of movement of disk I05. The detent I50 is yieldingly urged to its operative position by a spring I pivotally secured to the plate 5| with the free end thereof normally in pressure engagement with the detent. As shown in Figures 4 and 5 a coin passing from the chute II! into the coin receiving aperture I5I engages the inner end I50. of the detent I 35 and forces the same outwardly against the action of the spring I41 and maintains said end out of the path of movement of the portion I20 of the drive disk I05 so that said disk may be freely rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4.

The disk I05 is provided with a drive pin m arranged in this instance in the portion I20 at the rear of the coin aperture and in proximity to thestop shoulder I25. The drive pin I45 extends forwardly from the disk through an arcuate slot I45 provided in the front plate 55 in concentric relation with the shaft 50, as shown in Figure 8. During rotation of the drive disk I05, the drive pin I45 comes into engagement with a shoulder or contact surface I45 provided on the control lever 5| in inward spaced relation to the end portion SI of said lever. Contact of the drive pin I45 with the surface I45 produces rotation of the lever in a clockwise direction until the disk I05 reaches the end of its forward movement. It will be obvious that inasmuch as the drive pin I45 is spaced, when the drive disk is in its normal inoperative position, a considerable distance from the surface I45, the arm 5I will be rotated only a relatively short distance during the rotation of the drive disk one hun dred eighty degrees movement. This movement of lever 5| may, of course, be varied depending upon the location circumferentially ofthe drive pin I40 with respect to the stop shoulder I25.

When a coin of larger denomination is reinto the coin chute I2I.

ceived in the socket I53, this larger coin comes into contact with a drive pin I carried by an upwardly projecting arm I45 provided on the lever 9| intermediate the shoulder I45 and the outer end portion SI of said lever. The pin I45 extends inwardly through an arcuate slot I provided in the front plate 50, in concentric relation with the shaft 52, the inner end of said pin extending into the coin passage I05 adjacent the outer surface thereof. It will now be observed that a coin carried in the socket I35 will engage the drive pin I45 after the disk I05 has moved but a short distance from its initial inoperative position and thereby produce a greater pivotal movement of the control lever 5| in a clockwise direction than when said lever is actuated by the drive pin I43 and provide a correspondingly longer parking period. The degree of movement of the control lever 5| promoved into the disk chamber I05 and therefore into the path of movement of the portion I25 when the disk is being returned to its normal initial position. The shoulder I25 may. therefore, be beveled at the rear side thereof as indicated at I20, Figure 4, so as to readily move the detent end I35 rearwardly out of the chamber I50 and permit the disk I to readily return to its initial position.

As hereinbefore stated. the keeper shoulder 04' and latch pin 55 are so related that the shoulder will swing beneath the pin just prior to the pin and the arm 44 reaching their uppermost positions. It is preferable, therefore, that the coin be maintained in the aperture ISI until just prior to the disk I55 reaching itsextreme forward movement or until the pin 55 has moved upwardly beyond the shoulder 54'. The contour of the outer edge I01 of the coin passage I05 is, therefore, formed so that the movable signal is substantially in its uppermost position when the coin is releasedfrom operative relation with the drive disk, with the result that substantially a full half revolution of the disk must be produced before the coin is deposited into the chute III.

As the coin passes downwardly through the chute III, it comes into registration with a window I52 provided in the cover plate II. In order that the coin may remain in registration with the window so as to be observed from the exterior of the case I 5, I have provided a coin holder which in this instance comprises a resilient arm I54 composed preferably of spring metal and which is secured at one end, as by rivets I55, to the rear face of the frame 45, as shown in Figure 6. The other end of the holding arm I54 is provided with a laterally disposed projection or stop element I54 which extends forwardly from the arm through an aperture I55 in the rear plate 5I and The front plate 55 of the supporting frame 45, as shown more particularly in Figure 2, is provided with an elongated slot I5'I which is in alignment with the aperture I55 and the window I52 so that a coin intercepted by the stop arm I54 may be readily observed through the window from the exterior of the case I5. In order that the stop arm I54 may be actuate'd to release a coin prior to the entrance of a succeeding coin into the chute I2I, I have provided an actuating arm I55 arranged in substantially radial relation with the shaft 55 and substantially normal to the stop arm I54. Arm I58 is pivotally securedat one end. as by a rivet I50, to the rear'plate 5| of the supporting frame. A spring I60 maintains the free end I55 of arm I55 in the path of movement of a drive pin I5I secured to the head 54 of the shaft 50. The arm I55 extends through an elongated recess I5I- end portion I54 of arm I54 rearwardly out of the path of movement of a coin maintained thereby in the chute I2I and thus release the coin. As soon as the pin I6I moves beyond the end I58 of the arm I58, spring I60 returns said 'arm to its initial position thereby permitting the stop arm I54 to assume its normal position with the end thereof extending into the chute I2I to intercept a succeeding coin and hold the same in alignment with the window I52. It will be understood that as the shaft 60 is returned to its initial position, the pin I6I will raise the arm I58 until said pin passes beyond the end I58; whereupon the arm I58 returns to its normal position in engagement with the spring I60 adjacent the cam element I64.

As the coin is released by the stop arm I54, it passes downwardly through the chute I2I and aperture I24 into the hereinbefore-mentioned coin box or receptacle I25. This coin box, as shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 12, comprises a cylindrical cup-like body member I68 having the aperture I24 arranged in the side wall thereof, as shown, to align with the chute I2I. This member I66 has the bottom I61 provided with an aperture I68 arranged substantially centrally thereof adapted to receive the spindle 23 therethrough. The open end of the body member I66 is closed by a suitable cover I69 which likewise has a centrally disposed aperture I10 adapted to receive the spindle 23. In order that the coin receiving slot I24 may be maintained in alignment with the chute I2I, I have provided a guide pin III which is secured to the rear wall 24 of the case I5 and which extends through an aperture I12 provided in the bottom I61 of the receptacle; also a pair of fiat leaf springs I15 are secured to the inner face of the cover plate I8 to engage diametrically opposite sides of the cover I69 and yieldingly urge the receptacle I to its innermost position as the cover plate is secured to the spindle 23. It is now obvious that the coin receptacle I25 may be readily removed from the case I 5, after the cover plate I8 has been removed, by simply withdrawing the receptacle from engagement with the spindle 23 and guide pin I II, and that the coin box or receptacle may be as readily returned to the case by inserting the sameon the spindle 23 and pin III. coin box may not be misappropriated, the cover I69 may be secured to the member I66 by any suitable means as by one or more strips of adhesive tape I11.

It will now be understood that the operation of the parking meter illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings is substantially as follows: Assuming that the movable signal 39 is in its lowermost non-signaling position,.it will be obvious that the fixed signal 38 may be readily observed through the window of dome (H and thus indicate that the meter is inoperative and that the parking space controlled by said meter is, or should be, vacant. When it is desired to set the meter for a legal parking period, a coin of greater or smaller denomination, depending upon the length of the parking period desired, is inserted through the coin. slot II 3. The coin then moves downwardly through the chute H2 and lodges in one of the sockets I32 or I33 depending upon the denomination of the coin. As the coin enters the socket, the lock detent I38 is actuated thereby to unlock the drive disk I05. The disk I05 is now rotated in a clockwise direction from th exterior of the case through the In order that the contents of the I05 has moved about 180 and the coin is depos-- ited into the coin chute I 2| The handle 68 is now released and the shaft 60 and disk I05 are returned to their initial positions by the action of the spring I8. The lever 9|, of course, remains in its lowered position to be gradually returned to its uppermost position in engagement with the stop 95 by the drive mechanism 93. As the,

shaft 60 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the, signal 39 will be moved to its uppermost position through the action of the arms 59 and 56 and the engagement of the pin 51 with the lower end of the slot 51. The actuating member 81 will also be moved out of engagement with the extension 86 on the latch 8| by the upward movement of the pivot 90 and arm 88. This upward movement of the element 81 releases the latch member and arm 85 and causes the keeper 84 to move into position to engage the pin and thus maintain the arm 44 and signal 39 in their uppermost positions. Swinging movement of the control lever 9I in a clockwise direction sets the drive mechanism into operation which in turn slowly returns the control lever to its initial position in engagement with the stop 95. The operation of the drive mechanism stops as the load produced thereon by the resistance of the stop pin to the movement of lever 9I overcomes the action of the drive mechanism. As lever'9I engages the pin 95, the element 81 engages the extension 86 of the keeper BI and produces sumcient rotation of said keeper to bring the shoulder 84' out of engagement with the pin 80 and thereby releases the arm 44 after which the signal 39 and arm 44 will return by gravityto their lowermost inoperative positions.

If a coin of the larger denomination is used, the same will lodge in the socket I33. It now fol lows that upon rotation of the shaft 60 and disk I05 in a clockwise direction, the engagement of the larger coin with pin I48 will move the control lever 9| in a clockwise direction until the coin moves out of engagement with the pinjdue to the travel of the coin being in eccentric: relation to that of the pin I48. As the coin passes outof engagement with the pin I48, further downward movement of the lever 9| will cease while the coin will continue to move with the disk until the same registers with the coin chute I2 I, whereupon the coin moves from the socket I33 into said chute. It will be understood that when the control lever 9| is operated by the coin of the larger denomination, the arms 56 and 88 will be actuated in the same manner as when using the coin of the smaller denomination with the exception that arm 88 will move upwardly a correspondingly greater distance than formerly. The upward movement of the arm 56 will, of course, bring the signal 39 into a signaling position while the upward movement of the arm 88 merely releases the keeper member 8 I.

As the coin drops through the chute I2 I, it will,

6 asses ment of the disk by the engagement of the pin ill with the arm I58. As soon as the first coin is released and passes beyond the arm I", said arm will return to its normal position for intercepting the next coin which passes downwardly through the chute i! l. t

If it is desired to provide a limited free parking perlod,,all that is necessary to do to adjust the parking meter for this result is to remove the lock detent I" from the supporting frame 4|. This removal of the lock detent is readily ac complished by merely swinging the spring ill about its attachment screw as a pivot to bring a the same out of contact with the lock detent; whereupon said detent is withdrawn from its holding pin I40. The meter is then operated in the same manner as before described with the exception that it is not necessary to deposit a coin of the smaller denomination into the meter. when the lock detent is removed, the drive disk I"- is always free to be moved one-half revolution by the handle 6|. When moving the disk without a coin in fthe socket I", the drive pin I43 engages the control lever ii in the manner herebefore described and moves the same in a clockwise direction a limited degree, so as to provide for a limited parking period. If a parking period of longer duration is desired, this may be had by inserting a coin of proper denomination into the slot III. This coin moves into thesocket In, so

that the lever ll is actuated, by the engagement of thecoin with the pin I, to produce a maximum legal parking period. I

It will be observed that when the movable signal 39 is operated in the manner before described,

the signal remains in its uppermost signaling position throughout the entire legal parking, period and will suddenly drop to the concealed non-signaling position at the end of the parking period as the pin Ill is released by the keeper member II.

If it is desired to indicate the unexpired legal parking time after the signal 3! has been moved to the signaling position, whether for a minimum parking period or for the maximum parkin period, the structure shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 is used. The structure shown in these three figures is constructed and operated substantially the same as that shown inFigures l to 7 inclusive, as above described, with the exception that the control arm 9! is provided with a pointer I" which as illustrated in Figure 9 may be operatively connected with an extension l4l' of the' drive pin I48. This pointer ill extends forwardly from the lever Si, or theextension I49 thereof. to a position in close proximity to the cover plate H; The cover plate I! is provided with an arcuate slot I82 arranged concentric with the axis of rotation of the lever 9|; that is, with the shaft '2 and in the line of travel of pointer I80. Mounted on the cover plate I! at the inner side of the slot It! is a glass window I83. Any suitable scale such as indicated at I84, Figure 10, may be provided on the cover plate I! adjacent the slot in for indicating units of time. This scale may, however, be provided on the glass I83 at the inner side thereof to cooperate with the pointer it! for indicating the distance in time the pointer ill is from its normal uppermost position.

,In Figures 13, 14 and 15, I have-illustrated a -.modifled form of holding means for the movable signal. This holding means is adapted to indicate to an observer whether the parking meter is being used for providing a minimum, limited parking period or an extended, maximum parking period. In the structure shown the keeper ll,

.These stop shoulders in this instance, instead of being fixedly formed on the keeper member I i are provided on a disk member Ill which is pivotally connected at I to arm '4 of the keeper member. The pivotal movement of-the disk It! is limited by a pin Ill mounted on the upper end of the latch member and which extends through an arcuate slot Ill provided in the disk. The swingin: movement of the disk and the pivotal connection thereof with the keeper II is such that when one-of the stop shoulders is moved into the path of movement of the pin It, the other stop shoulder is moved out of said path of movement. The disk ill is provided with an extension I" extendin: outwardly from the inner side thereof into the path of movement of the actuating element or pin 81 on the arm II. The construction of the extension I" is such that the preponderance of weight is at the opposite side of the pivot I" from that of the keeper elements I and I81 so that the disk is normally maintained in the position shown in Figure 14 with the lower stop shoulder Ill in the path of movement of the pin II. The extension I9! is so connected with the disk I" that when the pin II moves to'a position intermediate its lowermost and uppermost positions, as the king meter is being set for a limited or shorter parking period, this pin '81 will not come into engagement with the extension I". Therefore, the keeper element ill will remain in position to engage the pin 80 on its downward movement at a position intermediate the lowermost and uppermost positions thereof and maintain the arm 44 and signal 39 in a correspondingly intermediate position. It is preferable that the keeper element It! be so arranged that the signal I! will be maintained thereby with its upper end substantially midway between the upper and lower ends of the window 35 so that substantially equal portions of the signals 38 and 30 may beobserved through said window.

In operation the keeper member is normally maintained, when the parking meter is inactive by the engagement of the pin 81 with the latch extension 8!, in the position illustrated in Figure 15, that is, with the disk I" at one side of the path of movement of latch pin 80.. As the pin 81 moves upwardly and releases the keeper durin the initial clockwise movement of the control lever II, the keeper rocks about its pivot 83 until the disk ill is brought to such a position that the stop shoulder I" is in the path of movement of the pin ll. This rocking movement of the keeper member II is limited by a stop pin I94 secured to the supporting frame 46. During the upward movement of the pin I I, the disk I88 is engaged by position so that the disk I remains in its normal position with relation to the keeper member, and the arm 44 will mov downwardly with the arm 8| until the pin engages the keeper element It! as shown in Figure 14. The signal 39 is thereby held in an intermediate position and th arm II will continue its downward movement independently of the arm 44. When the parking period has expired, the keeper member" is moved about its pivot II by the engagement of the pin 81 with the extension 86 to the position shown in Figure 15 where the keeper element I" is moved out of engagement with the latch pin 80, thereby permitting the arm 44 and signal I! to return to their lowermost positions. If the parking meter is set for the longer or maximum parking period. it will be observed that the pin 81 will be moved to its uppermost position and will come into contact with the disk extension I92, produce rotation of the disk, and bring the keeper element I into the path of movement of the pin and the keeper element I81 out of said path of movement. During the initial downward movement of the pin latch 80 from its uppermost position, it will be engaged by the keeper element I86 and the signal 89 will be maintainedi'n its uppermost position thereby. At the expiration of the parking period, the keeper member will'again be actuated by the pin 81 to move the keeper element I ll out of engagement with the pin 80 so that the signal may again return to its lowermost position.

Although I have shown and particularly described the preferred embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact constructions shown, as various changes both in the form and relation of the parts thereof may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a parking meter, in combination; a driving mechanism adapted to operate at a given speed for either of two periods of time; a case for said mechanism having a signaling zone; a signal mounted for vertical reciprocative movement into and out of the signaling zone; holding means including a pair of keeper elements, each element being movable from an operative to an inopera tive position for releasably maintaining the signal in a corresponding one of two vertically spaced signaling positions in said zone, one position for each operating period of the driving mechanism; and means actuated by the driving mechanism at the end of either one of said predetermined periods of operation thereof for racing the operato view entirely around its axis from the exterior of the meter, a vertically reciprocable legal parktive keeper element out of its operative position to release the signal, whereby said signal may move downwardly out of the signaling zone.

2. In a parking meter, a casing, a pendent and normally visible stationary signal mounted in said casing, a hollow legal parking signal mounted within the casing for vertical movement upwardly from a normal concealed non-signaling position to a visible signaling position in which the stationary signal is concealed therein, a supporting member for said legal parking signal shiftable to lift said signal to signaling position, latch means biased to automatically latch the supporting member against returnmovement when the legal parking signal is moved to signaling position, time-controlled means for releasing said latch means to permit the legal parking signal to drop to non signaling position, coin-releasable means manually shiftable to cause actuation of said time- 'controlled means, and means. operabl by such manual shifting of said coin-releasable means and having a thrust connection with said supporting member to cause the latter to lift the legal parking signal to its latched signaling position, said casing including means through which the stationary signal is normally visible from all directions around the meter.

3. In a parking meter, a vertically dispobed pendent and plug-like stationary signal having an axial bore extending upwardly from its lower end. said stationary-signal being normally exposed ing signal having a tubular wall adapted to substantially entirely surround the stationary signal and having an axial guide stem slidably engaged constantly in the bore in said stationary signal, said legal parking signal being normally lowered into a concealed position exposing the stationary signal, manually operable spring-returned means to lift said legal parking signal into a signaling position in which it substantially entirely conceals the stationary signal, means to automati cally lock the legal parking signal in signaling position, and time-controlled means to release said legal parking signal and permit it to drop to its normal concealed position to expose the stationary signal upon lapse of a predetermined legal parking time interval following locking of the legal parking signal in its said lifted signaling position.

4. In a parking meterya legal parking signal shiftable vertically from a normal concealed position to a higher signaling position in which it is visible from points entirely around the meter; a coin carrier oscillative a fixed distance about a horizontal axis; a handle for turning the carrier in one direction to a coin discharge position; a spring for restoring the carrier to a normal coinreceiving position; said carrier having a coin-receiving pocket with stepped side walls to receive and drive either of two coins of different diameters; means operable by rotation of the carrier by said handle to lift the legal parking signal to signaling position; means for automatically latching the legal parking signal in signaling position; time-controlled means to permit the legal parking signal to drop to its normal concealed position; means movable bodily with said carrier to initiate an operation of the time-controlled means for one legal parking time interval; and means carried by said time-controlled means and engageable and shiftable solely by a coin of the larger of said two diameters, while the coin is being driven by the carrier, to thereby initiate an operation of the time-controlled means for a longer legal parking time interval.

5. In a parking meter having time-controlled means including a member movable from 8. normal idle position to which it is automatically returned at a predetermined rate, a coin carrier manually shiftable from a normal coin-receiving position to a coin-discharging position, a spring for restoring the-carrier to normal position. said carrier having means to receive and drive therewith a coin of either of two different diameters, means fixed to the carrier and engageable with said member to move it one distance from idle position upon a manual shift of the carrier from coin-receiving position to coin-discharging position. means on said member engageable solely by a coin of the larger of said two diameters upon driving of such coin by the carrier to shift said member a greater distance from its normal position, a vertically reciprocable legal parking signal, means operable by manual shifting of the carrier to lift said legal parking signal from a normal concealed position to an exposed signaling position. means for automatically latching said legal parking signal in signaling position, and means operable by said member substantially at the end of the return movement of the member to unlatch the signal latching means and permit the legal parking signal to drop toits normal concealed position.

CHARLES A. MACCORDY. 

